A nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing fluid volume deficit. Which signs should the nurse document as part of the assessment which correlates with a fluid volume deficit? (Select all that apply)
Reduced skin turgor
Decreased blood pressure
Increased urine output
Increased heart rate
Dry mouth, dry skin
Correct Answer : A,B,D,E
Choice A reason: Reduced skin turgor, a sign of fluid volume deficit, occurs due to decreased interstitial fluid, reducing skin elasticity. Dehydration from fluid loss impairs cellular hydration, slowing skin recoil. This is a key assessment finding, as it reflects low extracellular fluid volume, affecting tissue perfusion and requiring fluid replacement to restore homeostasis.
Choice B reason: Decreased blood pressure results from fluid volume deficit, reducing intravascular volume and cardiac output. Low fluid decreases venous return, triggering baroreceptors to signal sympathetic activation, though insufficient to maintain pressure. This is a critical sign, as it indicates compromised perfusion to organs, necessitating fluid resuscitation to restore hemodynamic stability.
Choice C reason: Increased urine output is incorrect, as fluid volume deficit reduces urine output due to decreased renal perfusion. The kidneys conserve fluid via antidiuretic hormone and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activation, concentrating urine. This sign does not correlate with dehydration, which typically presents with oliguria, making it an incorrect assessment finding.
Choice D reason: Increased heart rate (tachycardia) compensates for fluid volume deficit, as reduced blood volume lowers cardiac output. Sympathetic activation increases heart rate to maintain tissue perfusion despite low fluid. This is a key sign, reflecting the body’s attempt to compensate for hypovolemia, requiring fluid replacement to normalize cardiovascular function.
Choice E reason: Dry mouth and skin are classic signs of fluid volume deficit, as dehydration reduces salivary gland secretion and skin moisture. Low extracellular fluid impairs mucous membrane hydration and sweat production. These signs indicate systemic fluid loss, affecting cellular function and requiring documentation to guide fluid therapy for restoring hydration and tissue perfusion.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Sharing a room with a roommate is contraindicated for tuberculosis, as airborne precautions prevent droplet nuclei transmission. Tuberculosis spreads via inhalation, and a shared room increases infection risk for others, violating isolation protocols, per infection control and respiratory disease management standards.
Choice B reason: Not requiring a mask contradicts airborne precautions, as tuberculosis requires N95 respirators for healthcare workers to block droplet nuclei. Masks are essential to prevent inhalation of infectious particles, ensuring safety during patient contact, per tuberculosis-specific infection control guidelines.
Choice C reason: Positive pressure airflow rooms are used for immunocompromised patients to prevent infections, not for tuberculosis, which requires negative pressure to contain airborne particles. Positive pressure would spread infectious droplets, increasing transmission risk, contrary to airborne precaution requirements, per infection control engineering.
Choice D reason: A negative pressure airflow room is required for tuberculosis to prevent airborne droplet nuclei from escaping, containing infectious particles. This ensures safe isolation, protecting staff and patients by directing airflow inward, aligning with airborne precautions, per CDC tuberculosis infection control guidelines.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Stating that talking to the client makes the nurse feel better is inappropriate as it centers on the nurse's emotions rather than the patient’s needs. Communication with dying patients supports dignity, assuming they may retain awareness, which aligns with patient-centered end-of-life care principles.
Choice B reason: Suggesting that talking reduces the nurse’s fear of death is unprofessional and irrelevant. The focus should be on the patient’s potential awareness and dignity. This response dismisses the therapeutic value of communication, which may comfort the patient, per palliative care and psychosocial support guidelines.
Choice C reason: Believing the patient can hear while alive is accurate, as studies suggest hearing persists in dying patients, supporting communication to provide comfort and dignity. This response reflects evidence-based practice, respecting the patient’s potential awareness and aligns with compassionate end-of-life care, per palliative care principles.
Choice D reason: Claiming the family requested talking is inaccurate and deflects responsibility. The rationale should be based on the patient’s potential to hear, supporting dignity. This response lacks a clinical basis and undermines the nurse’s professional judgment in providing meaningful end-of-life communication, per nursing ethics.
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